On Getting Food...

Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend who gave me information about Angel Food Ministries.  I have added the link to their site.  This brought to mind that many of the homeless and near homeless have difficulty with getting quality food and/or help getting aid to get food.

I have known people who have chosen to “dumpster dive” for food.  There a number of reasons this is not the best idea! In Ohio you can apply for “food stamps” to help you buy food at your local supermarkets.  Occasionally you do not qualify for one reason or other.  For me it was a typo on the second letter of my last name in their computers (but I’m dealing with that).

I have actually utilized food pantries, coupons, and some of the churches with sandwich lines or lunches.  Another trick is to do your grocery shopping Saturday or Sunday when they are giving out samples (you know your local store’s sample schedule).  Also meeting a friend for a happy hour that offers the appetizer buffet (though these are becoming fewer and fewer) can curb your food budget.

IF you still feel that dumpster diving is the only option, please follow your common sense along with your senses.  First be aware that many larger grocery and restaurant chains use a trash compacter or they pour bleach or ammonia over food in their dumpsters.  Their reasoning is to make the food inedible.  They are afraid of a mass of law suits if you get food poisoning from spoiled food. 

• Go to a place that does not smell like bleach, ammonia, or totally rotten food.
• Know their trash pickup schedule… that means the following day food is fresher.
• NEVER pick fish, mayonnaise or sour cream based deli items.
• Check the expiration date on any labels… this gives you a clue as to how long it has been there.
• Try for packages that are still completely sealed.
• If the item is supposed to be refrigerated feel the package to see if it is still cool.
• Fruit with a peel is best… sometimes a whole bag of oranges are tossed because of only a couple bad ones.
• ALWAYS wash everything including the outsides of meat packages.  This will get rid of any possible bacteria before further contaminating the food inside.
• Whatever the food use your senses… LOOK at it, SMELL it, FEEL for bruises or sliminess, finally if it passes all of the previous senses you may TASTE a small bite when prepared. At any of these points “When in doubt, throw it out!”

Keep in mind I do NOT advocate dumpster diving! 

First Week …

The first week on the temp job is now over.  I think I did OK.  I hope they think I did OK.  They are a nonprofit organization that runs programs to maintain quality of child care centers.  As I learned my job, when I would ask a question the most common response started with “Really good question…” and then they answered the question.  A technique that reinforced the ideas conveyed.

The big retail chain did not schedule me for today.  The first Saturday I have had off (without asking for it) since I started.  I thought at first they were getting ready to weed out any of the unnecessary staff since the holidays are over. Or the new store manager wants his own people… All the worries that go with the change of routine flooded my brain.

On Thursday, the plastic arrived early.  It seems I was worried for nothing.  God worked in his mysterious ways again.  I cut the plastic from dry wall size down to about notebook paper size before I can take it to the die cutter.  That’s what I did all day today.  I got about a third of it done.  That’s enough to take to the die cutter for the sizes I need to fill backorders.

Day Two …

My first day was fairly easy because of Presidents’ Day.  Today picked up with several meetings.  As Receptionist I have a multitude of tasks.   So much to learn but I seem to be adapting well.

Today we benefited from 2 lunch meetings.  I was allowed to take part in the leftovers.  God truly moves in mysterious ways.  This will hold me over until I get my first paycheck in two weeks.

Thank you.

Preparing for Monday…

Katy and I started with a Vet visit.  We are keeping an eye on a slight heart murmur and avoiding knee surgery… so far.  Then I was scheduled 5 hours at my retail job (next week they only have me scheduled 6.5 hours on one day).  That left this evening to evaluate my business wardrobe to prepare for Monday.  With my weight loss many need to be altered and some are gently loved but no longer liked.  I had heard about an organization called DRESS FOR SUCCESS COLUMBUS. They assists low income women who are seeking employment by providing them with interview and business appropriate clothing, a network of support and career development tools.  I decided that would be the place to trade styles.  I have placed their website in my links.  This is the local branch so check for locations near you if you choose to make any kind of donations.

At this time I am suspending my Daily Tally… hopefully permanently.  We are praying for the temp assignment to become permanent.

Recipe for a Successful Interview

First a special thanks to a MN in Arkansas for the letter and enclosure.  Your words and faith in me are cherished.

My interview was scheduled for Noon today but there was much to prepare a good first impression. 

• Beginning last night I made sure my outfit is clean, pressed (if necessary) and well coordinated.  I had to make some alterations due to my weight loss.  
• Always wear the most professional outfit you own.  You will be told the dress code WHEN you are hired.  It may mean a trip to a thrift shop that has a professional area.
• MapQuest the address of your interview and review it, especially the estimated travel time.  Even if you think you know where you are going.  Print it out and place it in a clean file folder with an extra copy of your resume, any research of your prospective employer, some light reading and all other documents they may request.  
• Early to bed was next on the agenda.  Yawns or bags under the eyes are an interview fashion no-no.
• Wash hair, bathe, brushing teeth go without saying but fine tuning the timing is important.  I do the hair first with enough time that if it tries to be a bad hair day I still have time to try again. 
• A spritz of fragrance is a nice touch.  Be sure it is a clean refreshing scent and not too much.  It is best not to experiment with a new scent.  My budget has dictated I use an inexpensive body mist and only for special events… this counted as a special event.
• I believe makeup should be minimal and again do not try something for the first time.
• Check your map and leave your home at least double the travel time MapQuest estimates prior to the interview.  My map said 25 minutes so I left home 1 hour before.  The goal is to be able to arrive in the parking lot 30 minutes ahead of the interview.  If there is a detour, accident or you get lost you won’t be late.
• Now is when you sit in your car, say a prayer, read your magazine (no stressful material like bills or bank statements) until 15 minutes before the interview.
• Now walk calmly into the office for your interview.  Have your folder but leave the magazine in the car.  This will make your arrival time 10-15 minutes early which is really “on time” when it comes to interviews.  This is also when I pop a tic~tac in my mouth.

I felt good when I left the interview but had to wait for the verdict.  So I went back to J’s house to continue to work on her quilt top.  After a couple hours there I got a call telling me I got the temporary assignment.  I start Monday and if they really like me, I may be offered the job permanently.

Thank you for all the prayers.


Today's Tally:
Friday, February 18, 2011                       
Location:  interview & J’s house
Temp:  N/A
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   1
Filled or baiting job posted:   2
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   Interview & Worked on a Commissioned Quilt

Tools for Confidence…

Remember, your job search IS your job.  These are 5 tricks I use to keep my confidence. 

1. Set the alarm, bathe & dress as though you are going to work. DO NOT allow yourself to sleep in because when (not if) you land a job working for someone else you don’t have a problem adjusting to a new sleep schedule.
2. Access your computer for e-mail, job sites, and businesslike needs FIRST.  Facebook, Twitter, and computer games must wait.
3. Keep an eye on your bank accounts online DAILY.  I had an instance of fraudulent access to my debit card last June.  I caught it, contested it and was only inconvenienced about 4 business days while I got a new card.  It nearly wiped out my whole account.
4. Delete all e-mails trying to sell you something UNOPENED unless it’s the weekly grocery flyers.  DO NOT TEMPT YOURSELF. 
5. Use the grocery flyers to economize on your food purchases before you do your shopping.  Don’t buy anything without a coupon unless it is milk, meat, or produce that don’t usually have coupons.  And most important make a list of only the necessary and stick to it.

Don’t look at me as perfect.  These are tricks I try to use daily.  There are times I fall away from these.  There are times I get depressed about the harder times in theses hard times.  Ultimately I will then allow myself a “Pati Pity Party” to last no more than 24 hours.  This is a tip I picked up from Linda Richman’s 2001 book “I’d Rather Laugh: How to be Happy Even When Life Has Other Plans for You” (now out of print but look for it at your library or as a download).

The prayers and networking are working.  Thanks.


Today's Tally:
Thursday, February 17, 2011                       
Location:  J’s house
Temp:  N/A
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   0 (1 in Canton & 1 in Cleveland)
Filled or baiting job posted:   3
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   Worked on a Commissioned Quilt

Dilemmas…

As I stated in Monday’s posting, I went for testing at IMPACT.  I arrived early so they put me on a computer early.  I passed and was offered one of the spots in the program.  Remember, this class runs 7 weeks to prepare 15-24 participants to be gainfully employed while providing a small stipend.
During the testing I received a message on my voice mail from one of the temp agencies.  D (my temp coordinator) had submitted my resume for a temp to permanent position.  They want to interview me Friday with the possibility of starting Monday.

I was honest with D about IMPACT.  He was familiar with their program and said he admired me for my initiative.  I asked him, “Did they give a timeline of temping before deciding to offer the permanent position?” and “Knowing me, my past evaluations and the prospective employer, how would you assess my chances at the permanency of the position?”  D didn’t have an answer for the timeline but he thought my chances might be a 9 on a 1-10 scale.

I am keeping an opened mind until I interview.  Then, if I get the offer, I will have the dilemma of following a commitment to IMPACT, or taking a position that right now is still a temp assignment with an unknown duration.

After I got off the phone with D I got another call from a friend (J) who commissioned me to help her with a quilt.  We had picked out the pattern and fabrics before her life got really out of control before Christmas.  This in mind, I felt that we could knock this quilt top out in a couple days.  I had her pick me up and we started this afternoon.  We have a long arm quilter we used for quilting the last quilt top she hired me to do. 

Today I re-sized the design in Electric Quilt 6 to dimensions to fit the wall she intends to hang it.  We coupled the fabrics into the light/medium/dark selections for the blocks.  I made a test block after tweaking the tension on her sewing machine.  Meanwhile she had beef stew cooking in the Crockpot all day.  We ended the day with dinner before she drove me home.

Today I kept thinking of Morton Salt.  They were the ones with the slogan “When it Rains, It Pours.” 

The prayers and networking are working.  Thanks.


Today's Tally:
Wednesday, February 16, 2011                       
Location:  IMPACT Employment Plus offices
Temp:  N/A
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   1
Filled or baiting job posted:   2
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   1 & Attended Testing Session & Worked on a Commissioned Quilt

Treat Yourself Daily…

"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."

—Maya Angelou

We are still the same person we were prior to our “defeats”.  Therefore, the person we are will determine how we refuse to be “defeated”.  For me it is to treat yourself daily.  I know this is a difficult concept to fulfill when you are “financially challenged”.  I am a creative person so I must respect myself enough to continue nurturing that person.  If you don’t, you kill the soul that gives you the spirit to fight your way back.  

You don’t have to abandon the job search, working, and/or education.  You don’t even need to spend money.  I enjoy quilting, art, theatre, cooking and traveling.  All of this does not change.  Ok, I may not be able to travel in person due to costs involved, BUT I can still explore the world via the internet and watching PBS travel shows.  Cooking poses creative challenges but you can go to any of my Friday postings to see how I conquer those.  I am fortunate live in Columbus close to Schiller Park.  During the summer months they have (free) “Shakespeare in the Park”. 

Tonight (after I sell Street Speech) I will go to my monthly quilt guild meeting.  I was voted in as 2^nd Vice President for 2011.  My primary responsibility is to plan the meeting programs and speakers under the help of the 1^st Vice President for meetings up through 2012.  Many speakers have their schedules booked 2 years in advance.  Then in 2012 I move to 1^st VP with a new 2^nd VP.  It is a team position so no one is thrown into the job cold.  It is a good fit since I have tons of friends and contacts in the quilting community.

I am still making quilts and my butterfly pincushion pins (I always have “bug parts” in my purse for these).  I don’t have to purchase much if I use my fabric stash, trade with guild members, good parts of cotton clothing I no longer fit, or go to the Waste Not Center to search their fabric scrap donations.  This is why quitters say, “When life gives you straps, make quilts.”


Today's Tally:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011                      Time:  11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:  3^rd and State Sts. (across from the state house
Temp:  31°
Newspapers sold:   1
Viable job postings:   1?
Filled or baiting job posted:   0
Resumes/Job Applications sent:  0  

Exploring One Avenue…

It was a beautiful day at 40° today. You missed my singing on the corner today but I was not playing hooky.  I was taking steps toward becoming employed.  
In this article, I need to discuss IMPACT Community Action.  I met their representatives at a job fair a couple weeks ago.  I put on my “think positive hat”, grabbed my resumes, and went booth to booth.  Like most people I started toward the right side of the room (perhaps instilled by driving on the right side of the road in the USA). After scanning the booth directory I stopped at every booth with job listing for which I have qualifications (and a few I thought I could learn what I lacked).  IMPACT was in the last booth on the left side of the room.  By that time I did start to feel discouraged but I shoved out my hand and shook that of a tall, inviting, beautiful woman saying, “Hello I’m Pati Shambaugh.” She told me about their program “Employment Plus”.

I placed an application at their office a couple days later.  “They’ll call you in a few days,” replied the building security officer who took the applications.  Honestly, my thoughts were, “I’ve heard that line before.”   I ended up calling the number on the sheet to check on my application after the usual 5 business days.  I was one of 82 invited to the class orientation (only 64 showed up).

You may think I got into the program… not so fast.  The orientation today was informational for both the applicants and the counselors.  We were given options at a few different times to leave or continue.  Those who continued were given a drug test, an interview and a time to return for computer testing on Wednesday.  So, I am not in the program yet, but I am going back.

The important part of this program is that it too is in danger of being discontinued with the Obama Administration’s proposed 50% reduction to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).  Please follow my link to IMPACT to see more specific statistics on their services and how to help keep the funding. 

What does that mean to me personally?  This class runs 7 weeks to prepare 15-24 participants to be gainfully employed, providing a small stipend and help in their other temporary needs during training.  The vote in Washington DC will determine whether this will be their last class and will it be completed with all 7 weeks.

Since this is federal funding it is not limited to the Community Services in Ohio… It will affect services nationwide.  The lack of these services will only increase homelessness and desperateness.  So write, call, email, fax AND text your representatives in Washington DC, asking them to support continued funding for Community Services.  You might ask, “Would you rather support programs proven to turn the downtrodden into income tax paying professionals or supporting prisons to house the ones turning to crime out of pure desperateness?”

Thank you for any help.


Today's Tally:
Monday, February 14, 2011                      Time:  9AM – 3PM
Location:  IMPACT Employment Plus offices
Temp:  N/A
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   0 (1 in Cincinnati)
Filled or baiting job posted:   8
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   Attended Orientation, Interview & Drug Testing

On Family and Faith

One of my rules posted yesterday was:  My family will never be referred to by name and only spoken about in direct reference to me.  Today I will outline my family and faith because these are the major elements that make us who we are today.    

Husband – never was one. Not that I don’t believe in them, just never found the right person at the right time.  (Had an offer in the 80’s for a “Sugar Daddy” but didn’t take it.) I will marry for love.

Children – 2 a boy and a girl but both have wet noses, long floppy ears and docked tails. Yes, my mother has “grandpuppies” from me.  Many of you will understand that giving them away is a last option.

Father – deceased (1990)

Step-father – deceased (1989)

Mother – living on only social security & food stamps at 78 on her next birthday in a couple weeks.

Mother’s current husband – several years older than Mom and dealing with “memory issues”.

Brother #1 – (older) unemployed and looking.

Brother #2 – deceased (1992)

Brother #3 – (younger) disabled and fighting to get SSI but keeps getting turned down (too many assets – So he has to lose his house before they will qualify him (a house paid off – just owes taxes).

Sister – (20 years younger) Cancer survivor, working, tremendous help to the family and I feel she has a right to enjoy her life with her significant other.  That means starting a family if they want or not.

Step-Sister (Father’s side) – Married with 2 sons. We have seen each other maybe 3 times since Daddy died.

My faith is Christian based.  I believe in God.  I also believe that Man is arrogant enough to impose individual beliefs upon their God as His traits and teachings when interpreting the Bible.  With so many doctrines and formal religions out there I sometimes wonder if one is the ONE religion to believe in.  Having grown up in a predominantly Jewish community and then taken the class “Non Western Religions” at Otterbein also helped shape this view.  My father was Lutheran; my grandparents took us to a Presbyterian church; and my step-father was Catholic.  This morning I have the opportunity to go to church (not working those hours) and I will go to Trinity Episcopal (downtown Columbus).  This is the church where I feel the spirit.

Many religions teach love, being good towards others, and the teachings of the Christians’ 10 Commandments and The Golden Rule.  So this is how I try to live MY life and not really by a name tag saying “Hello I’m _____________”.  Just as there are many roads (with different names) to get to Cleveland, I believe the name tag is moot.  I believe Christ when he taught “Believe in me and ye shall surely see the Kingdom of Heaven.” Period! 

Like Job in the Old Testament, my current troubles will not sway my beliefs.  So many times when I have truly needed something it has come to me.  This blog is what I believe was meant to come from my experiences.  Without the hardships I would not have been able to attempt to make understand homelessness.  I might have bought into the myths I am trying now to dispel.

Today's Tally:
Sunday, February 13, 2011                      Time:  worked 5.5 hours but also got to go to church
Location:  the retail chain store
Temp:  worked inside so this is not applicable
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   0
Filled or baiting job posted:   0
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

Turning Life’s Scraps…

This probably should have been the first entry of my blog...  But this was written as an invitation to view my blog and submitted to Street Speech.

I often wonder why I am going through these hard times.  All of the platitude rush to mind:

• “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
• “God will never give you more than you can handle with His help.”
• “Whenever God closes a door, He opens a window.”
• And one of my late step-dad’s favorite, “Why not you?”

On Tuesday, February 8^th I prayed for guidance and the idea filled my soul… write about it!  Well, I have an article in this issue, I thought.  Then slowly I thought of the way Mom always tried to teach us to value education, learning from mistakes/experiences, and “how to turn negatives into positives”.  Ding! The light bulb over my head shone a wider light… Don’t just write about it, BLOG about it.  Street Speech encompasses Columbus, Ohio but the homeless and near-homeless are worldwide.  Upon returning home I immediately set to writing my blog.

I decided this is the best way to make a change in the public view of homelessness.  I set guidelines for my blog:

• My family will never be referred to by name and only spoken about in direct reference to me.
• Each day will have a tally of my efforts to better my situation.
• Aside from a tally, each entry will attempt to deal with one topic.  I will not limit myself to only one entry per day if I have more to say.  I intend to post something every day.
• Income will not be addressed in actual dollar amounts. I may give a newspaper to a passing member of the media or the mayor/governor so they may also have a view of what we are doing or needing to help ourselves.  After all, I paid for my papers and it is my choice.
• Make it informative but fun and try not to have it just a complaint column.
• Most importantly… keep it honest.  If you lie it will negate all trust and nothing will inspire changes in public attitude.

Today's Tally:

Saturday, February 12, 2011                      Time:  worked 6.5 hours

Location:  the retail chain store

Temp:  worked inside so this is not applicable

Newspapers sold:   0

Viable job postings:   0

Filled or baiting job posted:   2

Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

Fs for Surviving Life

Quilters look for the 3Fs when traveling, attending quilt shows or quilt shop hops.  In that life the 3Fs stand for Fabric, Food and Facilities (Loo, WC, Potty).  In my efforts to survive life they have taken on a new meaning.  I have decided to make Friday’s on this blog a day for Fabulous Free Food Feast Fridays (or nearly free).  I guess that is 5Fs.

I know Giant Eagle changes sales on Thursdays.  Usually that means meat has the “Manager’s Special” stickers by Wednesday.  It was chicken.  10 thighs were marked just under $6 add the $1 AND $2 off stickers.  Lucky me!  I grab 3 plump mushrooms from the bulk by weight which ended up costing 23¢. I paid just under $3 for both.

I got green beans, a chicken sandwich patty (with a slice of onion) and a medium size Bundt pound cake from the sandwich line.  I had garlic, EVOO, rice and herbs at home.  I knew I had some Press N Seal in my quilting supplies.  I packaged up the other thighs individually and popped 8 into the freezer.

For lunch yesterday I prepared this feast.  Total cost per serving: less than 50¢

Chop up the slice of onion from the sandwich and the mushrooms.  Sauté in EVOO and butter to equal about a tablespoon.  Add half of the green beans when the mushrooms are almost soft and caramelized. Heat through.  Meanwhile bake 2 chicken thighs with your favorite herb sprinkled on top at 325° F for 35-40 minutes or until no pink is visible in the flesh.  I used poultry seasoning but I also like fresh thyme & rosemary from my window box in the summer.

Cook ½ cup of instant brown rice according to the package with a pinch of rosemary.  For more flavor you can combine the chicken dripping with the water or use chicken stock.  Keep all liquids as one measurement to total water amount on the package.

Makes 2 meals.  Eat one and share one with another Street Speech vendor. 

 You may note that I did not add salt. Most of the prepared items sold in vending machines (original source for the green beans) have plenty. Since I never know the dietary needs of who I cook for I use herbs for flavor.  For me salt, pepper, and hot sauce are things that can be added at the table.  I will add salt to my dish after tasting whereas Mom is on a low salt diet.  This is how I've cooked for years.

On a slightly different subject, a friend sent me this link.  I found it quite inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ

Today's Tally:

Friday, February 11, 2011               Time:  11:28 AM to 1:15 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. (across from the statehouse)

Temp:  29°F (21°F with wind chill factor)

Newspapers sold:   8 and someone gave me a candy for Valentines Day.

Viable job postings:   0 (that is online) received 4 leads from blog readers

Filled or baiting job posted:   6

Resumes/Job Applications            sent:   4

My Double Life …

There is a “double life” we lead as we plummet uncontrollably through becoming homeless/near-homeless.  We will lie to our friends who know we are heavily challenged… “It’s tight but, I’m ok.”  The acquaintances may never know.  The truth is we are worried all the time.  If we didn’t fight to keep smiling (or singing), depression will take hold, shake you like a rag doll and never let go.  Our brains and emotions are at odds.  We tell ourselves the truth, “You are doing everything you know you should,” but our emotions scream, “FAILURE!”

Yesterday, when I was parking to sell Street Speech, someone who passed me everyday recognized me.  She pointed to me, then my corner and appeared to tell her companion about me.  I could catch some of the word lip-reading.  My emotions said “fraud” then my logic kicked in:

• My car was paid for in 2003.
• It gets me the 14 mile commute to my retail job (10 hrs/wk)
• It is essential to go to interviews, temp assignments, and job fairs (most not on a bus line).
• Many of the homeless live in their cars after losing the home (I’m not there yet).
• I have never represented selling Street Speech as anything other than the legitimate business described in the paper and on their website.
• She has never spoken to me.  She walks a wider distance away as she passes, making me wonder if she is afraid I am contagious.

Yes, homelessness & near-homelessness is contagious.  It is spread by ignorance of the facts and denial but not by touching, casual conversation… or buying a newspaper.

The day I started this blog I came out to my online quilt guild by asking for prayers.  The responses have been phenomenal!  They have been emotionally uplifting.  My favorite one came from a member in England. After reading my article in my first blog she e-mailed back about going hunting for vultures.  Today she asked if her aim was getting better. Just knowing these online friends care helps battle the depressions and the “wide passers”.

Today's Tally:

Thursday, February 10, 2011      Time:  due to the weather I stayed home

Location: 

Temp:  4° (weather advisory - warning wind chills of -10° to -12°)

Newspapers sold:   0

Viable job postings:   0

Filled or baiting job posted:   6

Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

My daily routine…

The alarm is set for 6AM but the dogs usually rush that to be let out.  That first blast of cold air this morning is alarming.  The news says right now it is 9°F but feels like -2°F… but it IS still early.  I warm up the laptop to check e-mail (deleting unopened the ones selling me something and spam), the job websites for the new postings, and my bank balance.  Yes, then I check my Facebook.  I have the news on for two reasons: the weather and the local news has a jobs segment that sometimes has something exclusive to them.  When the offices start to open at 8AM I start calling all of the temporary staffing agencies to “touch base”.  This makes my name very prominent when something becomes available.

It is frustrating when checking website like Monster.com, Ohiomeansjobs.com & Jobs.com to find fewer than 10 jobs posted that day.  Out of those “ten” the majority of them are generic posting to bait you to sign up at a temp agency but a specific assignment either may not exist or was filled before the posting hit the web.  There may be only 1 verifiable job directly from an employer.

I bathe and dress appropriately if a temp job had been harvested.

With the job market in mind:

• What am I looking for in a job?  Pretty much anything. 
• What job am I qualified to do?  Retail, Administrative Assistant, Data Entry, Clerical, Bank Teller, Waitress, Bridal Consultant, and Quilting: Designer/Teacher/Speaker/Product Inventor/Pattern Writer/Hand Quilter.
• What can I learn?  Challenge me and let me surprise both of us.

After standing of my corner I went over to the sandwich line. We had a treat today. Usually it is one drink, 2 sandwiches, 1 from a meal category and 2 pastries (donut, muffin, cookie). These are donated by a variety of places like Kroger & Saneese. Our treat today was a box lunch that included fruit, macaroni salad, pudding and a slice of pizza. Of course, there is always a variety of bread. I only accept what I know I can eat. Like the loaves & fish in the bible we all can be fed.

Today's Tally:

Wednesday, February 9, 2011                    Time: 11:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts.; Columbus, Ohio (across from the statehouse)

Today was active with firefighters and protesters of the “heartbeat bill”  marching on the statehouse.

Temp:  23°F (21° with the wind chill factor), cloudy but dry

Newspapers sold:   7

Viable job postings:   0 (2 in Ohio if I care to commute to Cleveland or Canton)

Filled or baiting job posted:   3

Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

Irony of the day:   I received a resume on my fax machine from someone with a Masters in Computer Aided Engineering wanting to fulfill my company’s need for a Mechanical Engineer.  Even if the quilt shop were still open I don’t think I would have had a job for him.

It’s Not Where You Start…

The lyrics of a show tune from the 70's Broadway musical Seesaw resonates as my daily mantra.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.

                It’s not how you go, it’s how you land.

                A hundred to one shot,

                They call you a klutz,

                Can outrun the favorites, all he needs is the guts.

                Your final return will not diminish,

                and you can be the cream of the crop.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,

                And you’re gonna finish on top!

It has been too long between jobs that can actually support a single woman (and 2 small dogs).  It's not that I am not working at all, I am just working under the poverty level. I'm in danger of losing a home that was purchased in cash in 1979 because the property taxes and utilities add up to beyond my earnings. 

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless newspaper program helps those who want to help themselves earn their way back one paper at a time.  They buy their Street Speech papers for 25¢ each and we can only ask $1.00 but we can accept whatever someone wants to pay.  Many of the articles are written by the people on the street selling them and the volunteers in the office.  The Coalition also helps refer those in need to other resources to help meet their needs… sandwich lines, legal aid, shelters, HEAP… you know, pretty much the basic human needs.  It is one of the most humbling, best & worst jobs in which I’ve participated.  The following is my article that is published in the current issue of Street Speech.

   

Eating an Elephant with Vultures Looming

“You look like you don’t belong here.”  This was said to me yesterday while I stood on my corner to sell copies of Street Speech.  I wanted to say “None of us BELONG here,” but the fact is we ARE here.  Many of us never believed this would be our fate.  Our economy has widened the chasm between the traditional idea of who the homeless (and near homeless) should be and who we actually are.

Me?  I am an Otterbein College graduate.  I don’t smoke, drink or have any drug addictions (unless you count Dr. Pepper).  I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness that would preclude me from taking care of myself.  I grew up in a “good family” who value a “good work ethic”.  With my first job at the age of 12, I saved half of every paycheck for college.  I worked three part-time jobs at a time to pay my own way through college.  I subscribed to a belief in what we were all taught, “You’ll get a good job with a good education and a degree.”

After several jobs working for others, I took on the reigns of a small shop started by my mother. By 1993 I was sole proprietor, teacher, inventor, manufacturer, marketer and any other position needed for getting my quilting tool into the hands of the public.  I did this all WITHOUT credit cards or formal loans.  I have been a guest on HGTV’s Simply Quilts (1999) and taught my technique all over the USA.  I have even shared this technique with guilds while on quilting vacations in England and the south of France.

Several years ago began the downfall. Sales fell off, expenses keep going up (mostly utilities and booth fees shows), and travels were then limited to wholesale trade shows.  Finally the accumulative effects of quilt shops going out of business or not paying their invoices coupled with inferior copies of my product hitting the market. Yes, I could sue.  However, with attorneys in each of 4 states to pursue patient/copyright/trademark infringers was also financially prohibitive. 

I sold the house in Bexley (2005) and moved into what WAS “the shop”.  The money from the sale of the house put a new roof on the other building and supported me for another five years.

During the same time I have been signed up with four to five different temporary staffing agencies.  Only two of them have placed me on any assignments.  Total earnings through my temporary assignments in 2007 were under $400 for the year.  However, in 2008 it did go up to just under $500.  I only list these two agencies my resume since the others have no way of evaluating my abilities.

I also now work for a retail chain that is about 10 hours a week with the prospect of hours being cut now that the holidays are over.  So I went to the Coalition for the Homeless for help.  Their programs include information of help for which I may qualify and being a vendor for their newspaper.  We buy the papers we sell, making it a legal business venture.  This keeps my business ethics satisfied that I am earning my way back on my feet one paper at a time.

So, “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer, “ONE BITE AT A TIME!”

• Bite one:  Continue to take assignments with the temporary agencies and work the retail.
• Bite two:  Continue to job search by any means available (job fair and “boot camps”).
• Bite three:  Pay what I can on the bills most demanding while seeking legitimate help.
• Bite four:  Days I am not working or interviewing, stand on my corner selling Street Speech.
• Bite five:  Try to keep a positive outlook.

My only vultures are: property taxes (as the building was paid off 30 years ago), AEP, Columbia Gas, City of Columbus Water, AT&T, gasoline, car insurance, and (last but not least) food if there is any money left.

So here's Today's Tally:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011             Time: 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. Columbus Ohio (across from the state house)

Temp: 23°F (12° with the wind chill factor), snow falling at a 60° angle

2 newspapers sold

I believe that people who didn’t have to go out in this stayed in their offices.  My toes got “crispy cold” within the first half hour.  I don’t just stand there; I tend to sing for my supper.  In warmer weather (if I’m still there) I might bring my guitar.  I will feel like I’m doing more to earn my keep.